Despite a temporary pause, Chatham-Kent’s roundabout project at Queen’s Line and Merlin Road remains on track, municipal officials say.
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The $6.6-million overhaul consists of two projects: a single-lane roundabout and rehabilitation of the Queen’s Line bridge to the west over Government Drain No. 1.
“The project is going well,” Eric Labadie, the municipality’s manager of corporate communications, told The Daily News. “Work started in the fall to re-align Merlin Road north and south of where the new roundabout will be built at Queen’s Line.”
He added that street lighting has been installed at the realigned intersection and Merlin Road has been re-opened to traffic as of this past week.
“Work will resume later this winter — date is weather-pending — with a focus on the bridge project, and then work will resume on the intersection in the spring with construction on Queen’s Line to build the roundabout itself,” Labadie said.
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Many in the public, as well as elected officials, have called for safety improvements in the area over the years.
Studies assessing the intersection recommended a roundabout.
Huron Construction is performing the work. The project is being funded through municipal capital and right-of-way reserves.
Rehabilitation of the bridge, funded by the lifecycle reserve, is occurring at the same time as the new roundabout to ensure efficiencies in cost and co-ordination between the two projects.
The work is being done ahead of the Ontario Transportation Ministry’s Highway 401 Bloomfield Road interchange project.
Reduced speed limits remain in place. Motorists are encouraged to follow posted signage and drive slowly through the project limits.
“Additional updates will be shared with the public and surrounding properties when work is scheduled to restart later this winter,” Labadie said. “The Municipality of Chatham-Kent thanks motorists for their patience during this important infrastructure work.”
For more information and updates, visit chatham-kent.ca/constructionprojects
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